Music engineering deals with the technical side of creating music. While the artists and producers shape the creative vision of the track, a sound engineer tackles more fundamental aspects such as mixing, equipment, and reproduction.
Unlike producers, who often come from a performance background themselves, engineers typically cut their teeth backstage, setting up equipment at shows, or handling audio on radio shows.
How Do You Learn Music Engineering?
There are many technical aspects to sound engineering that require a solid understanding of the principles of sound production. Knowing how to make a track “sit in the mix” can be intuitive for some, but for most, it is necessary to understand how it works in order to achieve it.
While this doesn’t necessarily mean studying music engineering at school or university (though it helps), it does mean you will have to research and understand the subject thoroughly if you want to make it in this profession.
For beginners, it can help to get a low-level job working with audio equipment. Anything from interning at a music studio to becoming a roadie for live music acts is good. Radio stations also provide an excellent setting to get a thorough grounding in the field. Some sound engineers have even gained their start in the business by handling the audio of podcasts.
Where Can You Learn Music Engineering?
Schools and universities are an obvious option when considering where you can learn about the subject. If you prefer to learn on your own, there are many services online that offer comprehensive courses on things like sound engineering. Udemy and Point Blank Music School are two such examples. YouTube can also be a great resource, but you shouldn’t rely entirely on that.
Regardless of how you choose to learn the fundamentals, you should consider getting some real-world experience as an essential piece of the puzzle. That experience can come in the form of producing a popular podcast or going out on tour with a band as a roadie, or even a radio station unpaid internship.
How Much Can You Earn in This Field?
As with any field, the money you make can vary greatly. At the bottom of the ladder, you could be working for free, whereas those at the very top of the industry can make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
As a rough guide, the median annual wage for a music engineer in the US is a little over $40,000. Experience is key in this industry, and, as long as you’re good, you will likely find your income increases with time.
Where to Find Music Engineer Jobs
Searching any good job listing site will usually reveal a good number of sound engineering jobs. You can also try any local businesses that have a use for this kind of profession. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there if you are just getting started. Try offering to work for free at radio and TV stations, live venues, and similar situations. Once you’ve got something to put on your resume, the next job will be far easier to find.